Woman Found Beaten to Death in Westminster

The body of a young woman who apparently had been beaten to death was found Sunday near the city’s water tower, police said.

Police were searching for a man who was seen driving a cream-colored, four-door sedan and apparently dumping the woman’s body at the water tower near the intersection of 23rd and Monroe streets.

The woman had no identification on her, and police have not been able to determine her name.

“We’re desperately trying to find out who she is,” said Westminster Police Sgt. Dave Stronach. “We’re checking her fingerprints.”

Witnesses, who saw the man acting suspiciously after apparently lifting an object out his car, called police about 6:30 a.m., Stronach said.

By the time officers arrived a few minutes later, the man had fled.

Lt. Phil Marshall stated in a police report on the incident that the victim was “killed with unknown type weapons” which caused “blunt force trauma.”

The woman, who appears to be an Asian in her 20s, was wearing a white University of Pittsburgh shirt and blue denims.

Police described the suspect as male with a dark complexion, possibly Asian, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with a thin build and dark hair.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Westminster Police Department at (714) 898-3315.